Devins vie for Maxwell Award

John Borton

TheWolverine.com Senior Editor

Michigan has a pair of Devins - Gardner and Funchess - up for the Maxwell Award as the player of the year in college football. The fifth-year senior quarterback and junior wide receiver could form one of the top passing connections in the country.

Funchess in 2013 was named the Big Ten Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year and was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, even while making the move to receiver. He earned first-team All-Big Ten status, with his 49 receptions for 748 yards and six touchdowns.

His receiving total represented the highest for a tight end in a single Michigan season. He now boasts 64 catches for 982 yards and 11 touchdowns on his career.

Gardner became an honorable mention All-Big Ten performer last season, going 208 of 345 passing for 2,960 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also rushed 165 times for 483 yards and 11 more TDs. His 503 passing yards and 584 yards of total offense against Indiana set new single-game U-M records.

In his career, Gardner has racked up 4,440 passing yards and 34 touchdowns, with 658 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. He has 17 career receptions for 268 yards and four TDs.

Semifinalists for the award will be announced Nov. 3. Three finalists will be revealed on Nov. 24 and the winner on Dec. 11.